What to expect when the Fair at the PNE returns this weekend
Metro Vancouver’s end of summer tradition is almost here.
The long-awaited Fair at the PNE is opening Saturday after being scaled down during the pandemic.
Vendors spent Thursday setting up their booths as doors open in just a couple of days.
“Every member of our team is incredibly excited to welcome back British Columbia,” said Shelley Frost, the PNE president and CEO.
"It’s no secret the last two years have been difficult for our organization and during that time, we have heard unwavering support from people across the province,” she added.
The fair will also include dozens of cultural performances.
"At Festival Park, fairgoers can experience our cultural showcases of three shows daily bringing you a mosaic of dancers and exhilarating musical performers,” Frost said.
“Together we have weathered the storm of COVID-19 and we have emerged stronger. And we’re making investments into our team and into our business dreams,” she continued.
New attractions include a canoe carving showcase and new drag shows.
The Peking Acrobats and the SuperDogs will also return to the stage.
“It’s our 45th year here at the PNE. It’s a dream for us to have been here this long,” said Leonard Chase, the creative director of SuperDogs.
“We go to other cities. We’re very well appreciated in most cities, but let me tell you the enthusiasm here in Vancouver is beyond anything,” he added.
Visitors to Playland can also check out some classic rides such as the Wooden Roller Coaster, as well as the new Skybender.
Some big names will headline the Summer Nights Concerts, including the Barenaked Ladies, Nelly and TLC.
Translink is boosting bus service to help support guests taking transit to the fair.
In a statement, TransLink said it will be adding an express bus to and from the PNE, which will run every 15 minutes each day the fair is open. The 16 PNE Special will run between 29th Avenue Station, Renfrew Station, and the PNE.
The fair runs from Aug. 20 to Sept. 5.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.